Liraglutide
Also called: Saxenda, Victoza
Clinical reviewer: Jacob Moore, MD · Last checked September 16, 2026
What is liraglutide?
Liraglutide is a glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist sold as two FDA-approved brand-name injections: Victoza, for type 2 diabetes, and Saxenda, for chronic weight management. Both are self-administered once daily, and both carry a boxed warning for thyroid C-cell tumor risk.
What is liraglutide approved to treat?
Victoza is indicated as an adjunct to diet and exercise to improve glycemic control in adults and pediatric patients aged 10 and older with type 2 diabetes, and to reduce the risk of major adverse cardiovascular events in adults with type 2 diabetes and established cardiovascular disease [1]. Saxenda is indicated, with a reduced-calorie diet and increased physical activity, for chronic weight management in adults and pediatric patients aged 12 and older who meet weight and comorbidity criteria [2]. Coadministration with other liraglutide-containing products is not recommended under either label [1][2].
How is liraglutide taken?
Both Victoza and Saxenda are once-daily subcutaneous injections delivered from a prefilled pen [1][2]. Victoza is dosed from a starting 0.6 mg up to a maximum of 1.8 mg once daily [1]. Saxenda starts at 0.6 mg daily for one week and is increased in weekly steps to a 3 mg daily maintenance dose [2]. Neither product should be combined with another liraglutide-containing medicine, and Saxenda should not be combined with any other GLP-1 receptor agonist [2].
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This entry is for education and is not medical advice. Talk with a licensed clinician about your own situation before starting, stopping, or changing any treatment.
